Body found near last known location of missing North Port boater

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – A body was pulled from the waters at Burnt Store Marina on Sunday, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife.

The body was discovered near the last known location of missing Jim Winkler of North Port. Authorities have not released the identity or the condition of the body found.

On Thursday around 10 p.m., his wife became worried and notified the Coast Guard that he had not returned from an early afternoon fishing trip.

Winkler’s last cell phone ping was at 7 p.m. Thursday, just south of Cape Haze, the Coast Guard said.

His boat was recovered undamaged hours later near Jug Creek in Bokeelia on Friday morning, and towed to Burnt Store Marina.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is taking over the investigation.

No further information was immediately available.